AnthonySuper

Has anyone reached 20 PSI using the digital Turbo Meter in their turbocharged Honda Civic Si? How and under what conditions did you achieve it?

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

If the car is setup to only boost to a certain target HP number then you need hotter air.

Lower boost is needed with colder air then warmer air.

A tune will increase it.

AnthonySuper

Well according to the specs on Honda's website, a 10th generation Si should be able to get 20.3 PSI of boost pressure with OEM only...

I've seen 18 PSI on the digital Turbo Meter and with all the red bars filled (grey in photo) but I've never seen 20 PSI reached...

So it shouldn't have to come down to a tune?

FRSam

That's absolute best-case scenario. If you read around, very few people have managed to exceed 19. I'm assuming it has something to do with elevation. It's harder to produce more boost with thinner air.

If you're wanting 20, you're probably going to need to tune it like GolNat said.

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

You also could be peaking at over 20. They never say how long you are suppose to be at 20.3. Idk how accurate or fast the on board boost gauge is.

AnthonySuper

Good thought, I'm in Southern California which is ~87m above sea level... I bet that plays a factor.

I'd love to tune my car but I'm terrified at the thought of voiding my warranty.
Thank you for the reply.

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

So, the 10th gen civic has a torque target programmed into the ecu. Meet the torque demand, it'll open the wastegate. The boost meter, from what I've seen/read (I have a sport hatch, so no boost meter on the dash), will display something close to what you want to see, as opposed to actual manifold pressure. It's pretty useless, tbh. Get a bluetooth OBD reader and the torque app, and you'll see actual manifold boost pressure. I'd honestly be surprised if you were getting more than 16PSI actual. I know my Sport hatch isn't an Si, and is only rated for 16.5psi, but with the most ideal conditions I could put my car in, I was only getting 12psi at most.

Now, if you go with something like KTuner, it'll change the tune from torque target to boost target. Since you're in cali, the Hondata CARB tune might be your best bet if you wanna venture down that path. My sport hatch (CVT, I know) with KTuner's +6PSI tune (actual boost is 21psi) is actually faster than a stock Si coupe, and that was before I turned on a lot of the quick adjustments like improved throttle response and improved turbo ramp up.

tl;dr tune to get the boost Honda told you that the car could get.